The nationalisation plan for 2026 has been confirmed, with Chiltern Railways, Great Western Railway and Govia Thameslink Railway becoming government-operated.
Greater Anglia and West Midlands Trains are transferring to Government ownership on the 12th October and 1st February, respectively.
Govia Thameslink Railway, which is the UK’s largest train operator, will be nationalised on the 31st May 2026.
Chiltern Railway and Great Western Railway will follow at a later date.
Train services, timetables and facilities will be unaffected with no changes to travel cards.
Angie Doll, Chief Executive Officer of GTR, said: “I am immensely proud of what we have achieved for the millions of customers who rely on us, and for the communities we serve. As well as helping people travel, our purpose is about building a railway ready for the future, with people and communities at the heart of making that happen.
“By investing in skills, nurturing talent and building a more diverse workforce, we’ve laid the foundations for a railway that will endure, support sustainable growth, and inspire future generations. That is the legacy we have created.
“Our transition to public ownership comes at a time when GTR is at the forefront of key initiatives, essential to building a thriving sector under GBR and a stronger economy for Britain’s future.”
Responses
So it could be the end of not just Govia Thameslink Railway but it could be the end of the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern (TSGN) franchise.
Or will the TSGN franchise be reinstated once Department for Transport takes over. And not split the 3 operators apart and to keep them together along with Gatwick Express that is still part of the Southern franchise and part of TSGN.
What a pity. Once more into the dead duck that is Nationalisation. Out goes innovation, entrepreneurialism, all for political ends. A better idea would be to have a partially nationalised system with private enterprise involved with certain other services providing new link-ups taht haven’t previously existed.